Heat pump system for vehicle with battery and electronic component cooling

ABSTRACT

A heat pump system for a vehicle may include a cooling device having a radiator connected to a cooling line and a first water pump a battery module provided on a battery cooling line selectively connectable to the cooling line through a first valve; a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module including an internal heater connected to the cooling line through a first connection line, a cooler connected to the battery cooling line through a second connection line, and an opening or closing door provided between the internal heater and the cooler and controlling external air passing through the cooler to be selectively introduced into the internal heater depending on cooling, heating, and heating and dehumidifying modes of the vehicle; and a centralized energy (CE) module connected to each of the battery cooling line and the cooling line.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No.10-2016-0144495 filed on Nov. 1, 2016, the entire contents of which isincorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a heat pump system for a vehicle. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a heat pump system for avehicle capable of cooling and heating an interior of the vehicleselectively using a high-temperature coolant and a low-temperaturecoolant.

Description of Related Art

Generally, an air conditioner for a vehicle includes an air conditionerdevice circulating a refrigerant in order to heat or cool an interior ofthe vehicle.

The air conditioner device, which is to maintain the interior of thevehicle at an appropriate temperature regardless of a change in anexternal temperature to maintain a comfortable interior environment, isconfigured to heat or cool the interior of the vehicle by heat exchangeby an evaporator in a process in which a refrigerant discharged bydriving of a compressor is circulated to the compressor through acondenser, a receiver drier, an expansion valve, and the evaporator.

That is, the air conditioner device lowers a temperature and a humidityof the interior by condensing a high-temperature high-pressure gas-phaserefrigerant compressed from the compressor by the condenser, passing therefrigerant through the receiver drier and the expansion valve, and thenevaporating the refrigerant in the evaporator in a cooling mode insummer.

Meanwhile, recently, in accordance with a continuous increase in aninterest in energy efficiency and an environmental pollution problem,the development of an environmentally-friendly vehicle capable ofsubstantially substituting for an internal combustion engine vehicle hasbeen demanded, and the environmentally-friendly vehicle is generallyclassified into an electric vehicle driven using an fuel cell orelectricity as a power source and a hybrid vehicle driven using anengine and a battery.

In the electric vehicle or the hybrid vehicle among theseenvironmentally-friendly vehicles, a separate heater is not used unlikean air conditioner of a general vehicle, and an air conditioner used inthe environmentally-friendly vehicle is generally called a heat pumpsystem.

Meanwhile, the electric vehicle generates driving force by convertingchemical reaction energy between oxygen and hydrogen into electricenergy. In this process, heat energy is generated by a chemical reactionin a fuel cell. Therefore, it is necessary in securing performance ofthe fuel cell to effectively remove generated heat.

In addition, the hybrid vehicle generates driving force by driving amotor using electricity supplied from the fuel cell described above oran electrical battery, together with an engine operated by a generalfuel. Therefore, heat generated from the fuel cell or the battery andthe motor should be effectively removed in order to secure performanceof the motor.

Therefore, in the hybrid vehicle or the electric vehicle according tothe related art, a cooling device, a heat pump system, and a batterycooling system should be configured using separate closed circuits,respectively, so as to prevent heat generation of the motor, an electriccomponent, and the battery including the fuel cells.

Therefore, a size and a weight of a cooling module disposed at the frontof the vehicle are increased, and a layout of connection pipes supplyinga refrigerant or a coolant to each of the heat pump system, the coolingdevice, and the battery cooling system in an engine compartment becomescomplicated.

In addition, since the battery cooling system warming up or cooling thebattery depending on a state of the vehicle is separately provided sothat the battery exhibits optimal performance, a plurality of valves forconnecting the respective connection pipes to each other are used, andnoise and vibrations due to frequent opening or closing operations ofthese valves are transferred to the interior of the vehicle, such that aride comfort deteriorates.

The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section isonly for enhancement of understanding of the general background of theinvention and may not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form ofsuggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to aperson skilled in the art.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various aspects of the present invention are directed to providing aheat pump system for a vehicle having advantages of selectivelyexchanging thermal energy generated from a refrigerant at the time ofcondensing and evaporating the refrigerant with heat of a coolant andcontrolling an internal temperature of the vehicle using alow-temperature coolant or a high-temperature coolant of which the heatis exchanged.

Further, various aspects of the present invention are directed toproviding a heat pump system for a vehicle having advantages ofimproving heating efficiency of the vehicle using waste heat of anelectric component and a battery module and increasing an entire traveldistance of the vehicle by efficiently controlling a temperature of thebattery module so that the battery module exhibits optimal performance.

Various aspects of the present invention are directed to providing aheat pump system for a vehicle, including: a cooling device including aradiator connected to a cooling line and a first water pump andcirculating a coolant along the cooling line to cool an electriccomponent; a battery module provided on a battery cooling lineselectively connectable to the cooling line through a first valve; aheating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module including aninternal heater connected to the cooling line through a first connectionline, a cooler connected to the battery cooling line through a secondconnection line, and an opening or closing door provided between theinternal heater and the cooler and controlling external air passingthrough the cooler to be selectively introduced into the internal heaterdepending on cooling, heating, and heating and dehumidifying modes ofthe vehicle; and a centralized energy (CE) module connected to each ofthe battery cooling line and the cooling line, exchanging thermal energygenerated at the time of condensing and evaporating a refrigerantcirculated therein with heat of a coolant, and supplying alow-temperature or high-temperature coolant of which the heat isexchanged to the HVAC module, wherein the CE module is further providedwith a sub heat exchanger which further condenses the refrigerantthrough heat-exchange with the low-temperature refrigerant and thecondensed refrigerant so that the condensing amount of the refrigerantis increased through an increasing of a sub-cool.

The CE module may include: a condenser provided on the cooling linesconnected to each other through a second valve provided on the coolingline between the radiator and the battery module and a third valveprovided on the cooling line between the electric component and thefirst valve; the sub heat exchanger connected to the condenser through arefrigerant line, and an expansion valve connected to the sub heatexchanger through a refrigerant line; an evaporator connected to theexpansion valve through the refrigerant line and provided on the batterycooling line between the battery module and the first valve; and acompressor provided on the refrigerant line between the evaporator andthe condenser.

The first valve may connect the cooling line connected to the electriccomponent and the battery cooling line to each other between theradiator and the evaporator, and the first connection line mayselectively connect the cooling line and the internal heater to eachother through the second valve and the third valve.

A first branch line connecting the evaporator and the battery module toeach other through the first valve may be provided on the batterycooling line, the second connection line may be connected to the batterycooling line through a fourth valve between the evaporator and thebattery module connected to each other through the first branch line,and a second branch line connected to the cooling line between theradiator and the first water pump through a fifth valve may be providedon the cooling line connecting between the electric component and theradiator.

A reservoir tank connected to the second branch line may be providedbetween the radiator and the first water pump.

The second and third valves may be a 4-way valve.

The first, fourth and fifth valve may be 3-way valve.

In the case of cooling the electric component in the cooling mode of thevehicle, the first branch line may be opened through an operation of thefirst valve and the second connection line may be opened in a state inwhich the battery cooling line connected to the battery module is closedthrough an operation of the fourth valve, the first connection line maybe closed and the cooling line connecting the electric component and thecondenser to each other may be opened, through operations of the secondand third valves, the connection between the cooling line and thebattery cooling line may be closed through operations of the first tothird valves, the cooling line connecting the electric component and theradiator to each other may be opened in a state in which the secondbranch line is closed through an operation of the fifth valve, and therefrigerant may be circulated in the CE module.

The sub heat exchanger may secondarily condense a medium-temperaturerefrigerant exhausted from the condenser through heat-exchange with alow-temperature refrigerant exhausted from the evaporator to increase acondensing amount of the refrigerant through an increasing of asub-cool, and the evaporator may exchange heat between a coolantcirculated along the battery cooling line and a low-temperaturerefrigerant evaporated therein and supplies a low-temperature coolant tothe cooler, in the cooling mode of the vehicle.

In the case of cooing the battery module together with the electriccomponent in the cooling mode of the vehicle, the battery cooling lineconnected to the battery module may be opened through an operation ofthe fourth valve.

In the case of recovering waste heat of the battery module and theelectric component in the heating mode of the vehicle, the first branchline may be closed through an operation of the first valve and thesecond connection line may be closed in a state in which the batterycooling line connected to the battery module is opened through anoperation of the fourth valve, the cooling line connecting the electriccomponent and the condenser to each other and the first connection linemay be opened through operations of the second and third valves, thecooling line may be connected to the battery cooling line throughoperations of the first to third valves, the cooling line connecting theelectric component and the radiator to each other may be closed in astate in which the second branch line is opened through an operation ofthe fifth valve, and the refrigerant may be circulated in the CE module.

The waste heat generated in the electric component and the batterymodule may raise a temperature of a coolant circulated along the coolingline and the battery cooling line, and the coolant of which thetemperature is raised may raise a temperature of a refrigerant exhaustedfrom the evaporator.

In the case of recovering the waste heat from only the battery module inthe heating mode of the vehicle, the first branch line may be openedthrough an operation of the first valve, and the connection between thecooling line and the battery cooling line may be closed throughoperations of the first to third valves.

In the heating and dehumidifying mode of the vehicle, the first branchline may be opened through an operation of the first valve and thesecond connection line may be opened in a state in which the batterycooling line connected to the battery module is closed through anoperation of the fourth valve, the cooling line connecting the electriccomponent and the condenser to each other and the first connection linemay be opened through operations of the second and third valves, theconnection between the cooling line and the battery cooling line may beclosed through operations of the first to third valves in a state inwhich an operation of the first water pump is stopped, and therefrigerant may be circulated in the CE module.

The condenser and the evaporator may be formed of water cooling typeheat exchanger into which a coolant is introduced through the coolingline and the battery cooling line.

The condenser may further include a receiver drier, and a refrigerantheater may be provided on the refrigerant line between the compressorand the evaporator.

On the refrigerant line between the compressor and the evaporator, eachof an accumulator and a refrigerant heater may be provided.

A heater may be provided on the battery cooling line between the batterymodule and the evaporator, and the heater may be selectively turned onto heat a coolant circulated along the battery cooling line andintroduce the heated coolant into the battery module.

In the case of raising a temperature of the battery module, thecirculation of the refrigerant in the CE module may be stopped, and thefirst branch line may be connected to the battery cooling line and theconnection between the battery cooling line and the cooling line may beclosed, through an operation of the first valve.

A second water pump may be provided on the battery cooling line and athird water pump may be provided on the first connection line.

The refrigerant circulated in the CE module may be an R152-a or R744refrigerant.

The electric component may include a motor, an electric power controlunit (EPCU), and an on-board charger (OBC), and the motor and theelectric power control device may generate heat while being driven andthe on-board charger may generate heat in the case of charging thebattery module.

As described above, according to the heat pump system for a vehicleaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thethermal energy generated from the refrigerant at the time of condensingand evaporating the refrigerant is exchanged with the heat of thecoolant, and an internal temperature of the vehicle is controlled usingthe low-temperature or high-temperature coolant of which the heat isexchanged, making it possible to simplify the heat pump system for avehicle and simplify a layout of connection pipes through which therefrigerant is circulated.

In addition, the heat pump system for a vehicle may improve heatingefficiency of the vehicle using the waste heat of the electric componentand the battery module, and may increase an entire travel distance ofthe vehicle by efficiently controlling the temperature of the batterymodule so that the battery module exhibits optimal performance.

In addition, the CE (Centralized Energy) module generating the thermalenergy through the condensation and evaporation of the refrigerant ispackaged, and the high-performance R152-a or R744 refrigerant is used,such that a size and a weight may be reduced, and generation of noise,vibrations, and operation instability may be prevented as compared withan air conditioner device according to the related art.

In addition, the CE module further includes the sub heat exchanger,which secondarily condenses a primarily condensed refrigerant throughheat-exchange with a low temperature refrigerant so as to increase acondensing amount of the refrigerant, thereby improving the coolingperformance and efficiency through increasing a sub-cool of therefrigerant.

Further, the entire heat pump system for a vehicle is simplified, makingit possible to reduce a cost required for manufacturing the heat pumpsystem for a vehicle and a weight of the heat pump system for a vehicleand improve space utilization.

The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other featuresand advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in moredetail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, andthe following Detailed Description, which together serve to explaincertain principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is s schematic view illustrating another example of a CE moduleused in the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view depicting an operation state depending on a coolingmode of a vehicle in the heat pump system for a vehicle according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view depicting an operation state at the time of recoveringwaste heat from an electric component and a battery module in a heatingmode of the vehicle in the heat pump system for a vehicle according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view depicting an operation state depending on a heating anddehumidifying mode of the vehicle in the heat pump system for a vehicleaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view depicting an operation state at the time of raising atemperature of the battery module in the heat pump system for a vehicleaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

It may be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily toscale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of variousfeatures illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. Thespecific design features of the present invention as disclosed herein,including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations,and shapes will be determined in part by the particularly intendedapplication and use environment.

In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent partsof the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of thepresent invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and described below. While the invention(s) willbe described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it will beunderstood that the present description is not intended to limit theinvention(s) to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, theinvention(s) is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments,but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and otherembodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Since exemplary embodiments stated in the present specification andconfigurations shown in the accompanying drawings are only exemplaryembodiments of the present invention and do not represent the spirit ofthe present invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that variousequivalents and modifications that may replace exemplary embodimentsstated in the present specification and configurations shown in theaccompanying drawings in a point in time at which the present inventionis filed.

A description for contents that are not associated with the presentinvention will be omitted to clearly describe the present invention, andlike reference numerals designate like elements throughout thespecification.

Since sizes and thicknesses of the respective components werearbitrarily shown in the accompanying drawings for convenience ofexplanation, the present invention is not limited to contents shown inthe accompanying drawings. In addition, thicknesses were exaggerated toobviously represent several portions and regions.

In addition, throughout the present specification, unless explicitlydescribed to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as“comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusionof stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements.

In addition, the terms “˜ unit”, “˜ means”, “˜ part”, “member”, and thelike, described in the specification mean units of a comprehensiveconfiguration for performing at least one function or operation.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The heat pump system 1 for a vehicle according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention exchanges thermal energy generatedin a refrigerant at the time of condensing and evaporating therefrigerant with heat of a coolant to perform a cooling or heating modeof the vehicle only using a low-temperature or high-temperature coolant.

The heat pump system 1 for a vehicle is used in an electric vehicle.Referring to FIG. 1, the heat pump system 1 for a vehicle includes acooling device 10, a battery module B, a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) module 30, and a centralized energy (CE) module 40.

First, the cooling device 10 includes a radiator 12 connected to coolinglines 11 and a first water pump 14, and circulates a coolant along thecooling lines 11 to cool an electric component 15.

Here, the electric component 15 may include a motor 16 and an electricpower control unit (EPCU) 17 and an on-board charger (OBC) 18 disposedat both sides of the motor 16.

The motor 16 and the electric power control unit 17 may generate heatwhile being driven, and the on-board charger 18 may generate heat in thecase of charging the battery module B.

Therefore, in the case of recovering waste heat from the electriccomponent 15 in the heating mode of the vehicle, the heat generated fromthe motor 16 and the electric power control unit 17 is recovered, andthe heat generated from the on-board charger 18 may be recovered at thetime of charging the battery module B.

The radiator 12 is disposed at the front of the vehicle, and has acooling fan 13 disposed therebehind to cool the coolant through anoperation of the cooling fan 13 and heat-exchange with an external air.

The cooling device 10 configured as described above circulates thecoolant cooled in the radiator 12 along the cooling lines 11 through anoperation of the first water pump 14 to cool the electric component 15so as not to be overheated.

The battery module B is provided on a battery cooling line 21selectively connectable to the cooling line 11 through a first valve V1.

The battery module B supplies power to the electric component, and is awater cooling type battery module cooled by a coolant flowing along thebattery cooling line 21. Here, a second water pump 23 is provided on thebattery cooling line 21.

The second water pump 23 is provided on the battery cooling line 21between the radiator 12 and the battery module B. The second water pump23 is operated to circulate the coolant through the battery coolinglines 21.

That is, the battery module B is connected to the cooling device 10through the battery cooling line 21 and the coolant may be circulated inthe battery module B through an operation of the second water pump 23.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the HVAC module 30 includes aninternal heater 31, a cooler 33, and an opening or closing door 35.

The internal heater 31 is connected to the cooling line 11 through afirst connection line 50. The cooler 33 is connected to the batterycooling line 21 through a second connection line 60.

In addition, the opening or closing door 35 is provided between theinternal heater 31 and the cooler 33. The opening or closing door 35controls the external air passing through the cooler 33 to beselectively introduced into the internal heater 31 depending on cooling,heating, and heating and dehumidifying modes of the vehicle.

That is, in the heating mode of the vehicle, the opening or closing door35 is opened so that the external air passing through the cooler 33 isintroduced into the internal heater 31. To the contrary, in the coolingmode of the vehicle, the opening or closing door 35 closes the internalheater 31 so that the external air cooled while passing through thecooler 33 is directly introduced into an internal of the vehicle.

The CE module 40 is connected to each of the cooling line 11 and thebattery cooling line 21. The CE module 40 exchanges a thermal energy,generated at the time of condensing and evaporating a refrigerantcirculated therein with heat of a coolant, and supplies alow-temperature or high-temperature coolant of which the heat isexchanged to the HVAC module 30.

Here, the refrigerant is a high-performance R152-a or R744 refrigerant.

That is, the high-temperature coolant is supplied to the internal heater21 through the first connection line 50, and the low-temperature coolantis supplied to the cooler 33 through the second connection line 60.

Here, the CE module 40 includes a condenser 42, a sub heat exchanger 44,an expansion valve 45, an evaporator 46, and a compressor 48 connectedto one another through a refrigerant line 41.

First, the condenser 42 is provided on the cooling lines 11 connected toeach other through a second valve V2 provided on the cooling line 11between the radiator 12 and the battery module B and a third valve V3provided on the cooling line 11 between the electric component 15 andthe first valve V1.

The condenser 42 exchanges heat between a refrigerant introducedthereinto and a coolant to condense the refrigerant, and suppliesthermal energy generated at the time of condensing the refrigerant tothe coolant to raise a temperature of the coolant.

The sub heat exchanger 44 further condenses the refrigerant such thatthe condensing amount of the refrigerant is increased. The sub heatexchanger 44 is connected to the condenser 42 through the refrigerant41.

The expansion valve 45 is connected to the condenser 42 through therefrigerant line 41. The expansion valve 45 receives and expands therefrigerant passing through the condenser 42.

The expansion valve 45 may be a mechanical expansion valve or anelectronic expansion valve.

The evaporator 46 is connected to the expansion valve 45 throughrefrigerant line 41. The evaporator 46 is provided on the batterycooling line 21 between the battery module B and the first valve V1.

The evaporator 46 exchanges heat between a refrigerant introducedthereinto and a coolant to evaporate the refrigerant, and supplieslow-temperature thermal energy generated at the time of evaporating therefrigerant to the coolant to lower a temperature of the coolant.

Here, the condenser 42 and the evaporator 46 may be formed of watercooling type heat exchanger into which a coolant is introduced throughthe cooling line 11 and the battery cooling line 21.

Meanwhile, the evaporator 46 is connected to the sub heat exchanger 44through the refrigerant line 41.

That is, the condensed refrigerant exhausted from the condenser 42 and arefrigerant of a low temperature and a low pressure exhausted from theevaporator 46 are respectively flowed into the sub heat exchanger 44.Accordingly, the sub heat exchanger 44 may lower a temperature of therefrigerant and increase the condensing amount of the refrigerantthrough secondarily heat-exchange with a low-temperature refrigerant anda medium-temperature refrigerant.

The sub heat exchanger 44 secondarily further condenses the refrigerant,primarily condensed in the condenser 42, improving a coefficient ofperformance (COP) that is a coefficient of cooling performance comparedto power consumed of the compressor.

Meanwhile, in the present exemplary embodiment, the sub heat exchanger44 heat-exchanges the medium-temperature refrigerant with thelow-temperature refrigerant has been described by way of example in thepresent exemplary embodiment, the present invention is not limitedthereto. The sub heat exchanger 44 bypasses and cools a portion of therefrigerant exhausted from the condenser 42, and cools a remainingrefrigerant by use of the cooled refrigerant and the low-temperaturerefrigerant exhausted from the evaporator 46 to increase a sub-cool.

In addition, the compressor 48 is provided on the refrigerant line 41between the evaporator 46 and the condenser 42. The compressor 41compresses a gaseous refrigerant exhausted from the evaporator 46 andpassed through the sub heat exchanger 44.

Here, the condenser 42 may further include a receiver drier 43. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, the receiver drier 43 is configuredintegrally with the condenser 42. In addition, a refrigerant heater 49may be provided on the refrigerant line 41 between the compressor 48 andthe evaporator 46.

The refrigerant heater 49 heats the refrigerant and supplies the heatedrefrigerant to the compressor 48 to further raise a temperature of thecoolant through a rise in a temperature of the refrigerant, making itpossible to promote heating performance improvement.

Here, the first valve V1 connects the cooling line 11 connected to theelectric component 15 and the battery cooling line 21 to each otherbetween the radiator 12 and the evaporator 46.

In addition, the first connection line 50 selectively connects thecooling line 11 and the internal heater 31 to each other through thesecond valve V2 and the third valve V3.

Here, a third water pump 52 may be provided on the first connection line50. The third water pump 52 circulates the coolant through the firstconnection line 50.

Meanwhile, the first, second and third water pumps 14, 23, and 52 may bean electric water pump.

That is, the high-temperature coolant of which the temperature is raisedwhile passing through the condenser 42 is introduced into the internalheater 31 through the first connection line 50 opened through the secondand third valves V2 and V3.

Meanwhile, in the present exemplary embodiment, a first branch line 70connecting the evaporator 46 and the battery module B through the firstvalve V1 is provided on the battery cooling line 21.

The first valve V1 selectively connects the cooling line 11 and thebattery cooling line 21 to each other or selectively connects thebattery cooling line 21 and the first branch line 70 to each other tocontrol a flow of the coolant.

That is, the first valve V1 may connect the cooling line 11 connected tothe radiator 12 and the battery cooling line 21 to each other and closethe first branch line 70, in the case of cooling the battery module Busing the coolant cooled in the radiator 12.

In addition, the first valve V1 may open the first branch line 70 andclose connection between the cooling line 11 and the battery coolingline 21, in the case of raising a temperature of the battery module B orin the case of cooling the battery module B using the coolant exchangingthe heat with the refrigerant.

Therefore, the low-temperature coolant of which the heat exchange withthe refrigerant is completed in the evaporator 46 is introduced into thebattery module B through the first branch line 70 opened by the firstvalve V1, making it possible to efficiently cool the battery module B.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the second connection line 60 isconnected to the battery cooling line 21 through a fourth valve V4between the evaporator 46 and the battery module B connected to eachother through the first branch line 70.

The fourth valve V4 selectively opens or closes the battery cooling line21 connected to the battery module B, and selectively connects thesecond connection line 60 and the battery cooling line 21 to each otherto supply the low-temperature coolant to the cooler 33.

In addition, a second branch line 80 connected to the cooling line 11between the radiator 12 and the first water pump 14 through a fifthvalve V5 may be provided on the cooling line 11 connecting between theelectric component 15 and the radiator 12.

The second branch line 80 is selectively opened through an operation ofthe fifth valve V5 in the case of absorbing the waste heat generated inthe electric component 15 and the battery module B to raise atemperature of the coolant. In the instant case, the cooling line 11connected to the radiator 12 is closed through the operation of thefifth valve V5.

Meanwhile, a reservoir tank 19 connected to the second branch line 80may be provided between the radiator 12 and the first water pump 14. Thecoolant introduced from the radiator 12 and cooled may be stored in thereservoir tank 19.

Here, the second and third valves may be a 4-way valve, the first,fourth and fifth valves may be a 3-way valve that may distribute a flowrate.

Meanwhile, in the present exemplary embodiment, the CE module 40 mayfurther include an accumulator 47 instead of the receiver driver 43, asillustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is s schematic view illustrating another example of a CE moduleused in the heat pump system for a vehicle according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the accumulator 47 is provided on the refrigerantline 41 between the evaporator 46 and the sub heat exchanger 44. Theaccumulator 47 supplies only a gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 48to improve efficiency and durability of the compressor 48.

That is, in the CE module 40, the accumulator 47 may be removed in thecase in which the receiver drier 43 is provided, and the accumulator 47may be provided instead of the receiver drier 43 in the case in whichthe receiver drier 43 is not provided.

Meanwhile, although a case in which the refrigerant heater 49 isprovided on the refrigerant line 21 has been described by way of examplein the present exemplary embodiment, the present invention is notlimited thereto. The refrigerant heater 49 may be selectively removed,when necessary.

Hereinafter, operations and actions, in each mode, of the heat pumpsystem 1 for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention configured as described above will be described indetail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

First, an operation in the case of cooling the electric component 15 inthe cooling mode of the vehicle will be described with reference to FIG.3.

FIG. 3 is a view depicting an operation state depending on a coolingmode of a vehicle in the heat pump system for a vehicle according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the cooling device 10 is operated to cool theelectric component 15. In addition, the respective components of the CEmodule 40 are operated to cool the internal of the vehicle, such thatthe refrigerant is circulated along the refrigerant line 41.

Here, the first branch line 70 is opened through an operation of thefirst valve V1.

The second connection line 60 is opened in a state in which the batterycooling line 21 connected to the battery module B is closed through anoperation of the fourth valve V4.

In addition, the first connection line 50 is closed and the cooling line11 connecting the electric component 15 and the condenser 42 is opened,through operations of the second and third valves V2 and V3.

Here, the connection between the cooling line 11 and the battery coolingline 21 is closed through operations of the first, second and thirdvalves V1, V2 and V3.

In addition, the second branch line 80 is closed through an operation ofthe fifth valve V5. At the same time, the fifth valve V5 opens thecooling line 11 connecting the electric component 15 and the radiator 12to each other.

Therefore, the coolant cooled in the radiator 12 cools the electriccomponent 15 while being circulated along the cooling lines 11 connectedto each other by the second, third, and fifth valves V2, V3, and V5through an operation of the first water pump 15.

In addition, the coolant of the battery cooling line 21 is circulatedalong the battery cooling line 21, the first branch line 70, and thesecond connection line 60 by an operation of the second water pump 23.

Here, the sub heat exchanger 44 may secondarily condenses amedium-temperature refrigerant exhausted from the condenser 42 throughheat-exchange with a low-temperature refrigerant exhausted from theevaporator 46 to increase a condensing amount of the refrigerant throughan increasing of a sub-cool.

Here, the evaporator 46 exchanges heat between the coolant circulatedalong the battery cooling line 21 and a low-temperature refrigerantevaporated therein, and supplies a low-temperature coolant to the cooler33.

That is, the refrigerant circulated along the refrigerant line 41 in theCE module 40 is primarily condensed through heat-exchange with thecoolant passing through the condenser 42, and is secondarily condensedin the sub heat exchanger 44 through exchange heat with thelow-temperature refrigerant supplied from the evaporator 46 so that thecondensing amount of the refrigerant is increased.

Thereafter, the refrigerant, that the condensing amount is increased, isexpanded in the expansion valve 45, and is evaporated in the evaporator46.

In the instant case, the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 46cools the coolant introduced through the battery cooling line 21. Therefrigerant of which the condensing amount is increased whilesequentially passing through the condenser 42 and the sub heat exchanger44 is expanded and supplied to the evaporator 46, evaporating therefrigerant to lower temperature in the evaporator 46.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the sub heat exchanger 44secondarily condenses the refrigerant, advantaging sub-cool formation.In addition, the cooling performance and efficiency can be improved inthe cooling mode of the vehicle.

The coolant is cooled to a lower temperature while passing through theevaporator 46, and is supplied into the cooler 33 through the secondconnection line 60.

In the instant case, the external air introduced into the HVAC module 30is cooled while exchanging heat with the coolant that is introduced intothe cooler 33 and is in a low-temperature state.

The opening or closing door 35 closes a portion through which the cooledexternal air passes into the internal heater 31 so that the cooledexternal air does not pass through the internal heater 31. Therefore,the cooled external air is directly introduced into the internal of thevehicle, making it possible to efficiently cool the internal of thevehicle.

Meanwhile, in the case of cooing the battery module B together with theelectric component 15 in the cooling mode of the vehicle, the batterycooling line 21 connected to the battery module B may be opened throughthe operation of the fourth valve V4.

In the instant case, the coolant cooled while passing through theevaporator 46 is circulated along the battery cooling line 21 connectedto the battery module B and the second connection line 60. Therefore,the battery module B may be efficiently cooled by the low-temperaturecoolant supplied to the battery cooling line 21.

An operation of recovering the waste heat from the electric componentand the battery module in the heating mode of the vehicle will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a view depicting an operation state at the time of recoveringwaste heat from an electric component and a battery module in a heatingmode of the vehicle in the heat pump system for a vehicle according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the case of recovering the waste heat of theelectric component 15 and the battery module B in the heating mode ofthe vehicle, the respective components of the CE module 40 are operatedto heat the internal of the vehicle, such that the refrigerant iscirculated through the refrigerant line 41.

In this state, the first branch line 70 is closed through an operationof the first valve V1.

The battery cooling line 21 connected to the battery module B is openedthrough an operation of the fourth valve V4. The second connection line60 is closed through the operation of the fourth valve V4.

The cooling line 11 connecting the electric component 15 and thecondenser 42 and the first connection line 50 are opened throughoperations of the second and third valves V2 and V3.

In addition, the cooling line 11 is connected to the battery coolingline 21 through the operations of the first, second and third valves V1,V2 and V3. The fifth valve V5 closes the cooling line 11 connecting theelectric component 15 and the radiator 12 to each other in a state inwhich it opens the second branch line 80.

Therefore, the cooling line 11 and the battery cooling line 21 areconnected to each other through selective operations of the first tofifth valves V1 to V5, and may form one closed circuit along which thecoolant is circulated.

Here, the waste heat generated in the electric component 15 and thewaste heat generated in the battery module B raise a temperature of thecoolant circulated along the cooling line 11 and the battery coolingline 21.

The coolant of which the temperature is raised further raises atemperature of the refrigerant exhausted from the evaporator 46 whilepassing through the evaporator 46 through operations of the first andsecond water pumps 14 and 23.

The refrigerant of which the temperature is raised is introduced intothe compressor 48, is compressed at a higher temperature and pressure inthe compressor 48, and is then introduced into the condenser 42.

Here, the coolant is circulated along the cooling line 11 passingthrough the condenser 42 and the first connection line 50 connected tothe cooling line 11 by the second and third valves V2 and V3 through anoperation of the third water pump 52.

A temperature of the coolant passing through the condenser 42 may befurther raised while the coolant exchanges heat with the refrigerantcompressed at the higher temperature and pressure in the compressor 48and then supplied to the condenser 42.

Therefore, the coolant of which the temperature is raised while passingthrough the condenser 42 is supplied to the internal heater 31.

Here, the opening or closing door 35 is opened so that the external airintroduced into the HVAC module 30 and passing through the cooler 33 towhich the supply of the coolant is stopped passes through the internalheater 31.

Therefore, the external air introduced from the outside is introduced ina room temperature state in which it is not cooled into the cooler 33 atthe time of passing through the cooler 33. The introduced external airis changed in a high temperature state while passing through theinternal heater 31 and is then introduced into the internal of thevehicle, such that heating of the internal of the vehicle may beimplemented.

Meanwhile, the heater 25 may be selectively turned on, when necessary,to heat the coolant circulated along the battery cooling line 21.Therefore, the temperature of the refrigerant passing through theevaporator 46 may be rapidly raised.

That is, the heat pump system 1 for a vehicle according to the presentexemplary embodiment uses waste heat sources generated in the electriccomponent 15 and the battery module B to raise the temperature of therefrigerant in the heating mode of the vehicle, making it possible toreduce power consumption of the compressor 48 and improve heatingefficiency.

Meanwhile, in the case of recovering the waste heat from only thebattery module B in the heating mode of the vehicle, the first branchline 70 is opened through the operation of the first valve V1. At thesame time, the connection between the cooling line 11 and the batterycooling line 21 is closed through the operations of the first, secondand third valves V1, V7, and V3.

In the instant case, the coolant recovers the waste heat generated inthe battery module B while being circulated along the battery coolingline 21 and the first branch line 70 through an operation of the secondwater pump 23, such that a temperature of the coolant is raised. Thecoolant of which the temperature is raised may raise a temperature ofthe refrigerant through heat-exchange with the refrigerant while passingthrough the evaporator 46.

That is, although a case in which both of the waste heat of the electriccomponent 15 and the waste heat of the battery module B are recovered orthe waste heat of the battery module B is recovered in the heating modeof the vehicle has been described by way of example in the presentexemplary embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. Thatis, the waste heat generated in the electric component 15 except for thewaste heat of the battery module B may also be recovered.

In the present exemplary embodiment, an operation in the heating anddehumidifying mode of the vehicle will be described with reference toFIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a view depicting an operation state depending on a heating anddehumidifying mode of the vehicle in the heat pump system for a vehicleaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, in the heating and dehumidifying mode of thevehicle, the respective components of the CE module 40 are operated toheat the internal of the vehicle, such that the refrigerant iscirculated along the refrigerant line 41.

The first branch line 70 is opened through an operation of the firstvalve V1. The battery cooling line 21 connected to the battery module Bis closed through an operation of the fourth valve V4. At the same time,the second connection line 60 is opened by the fourth valve V4, suchthat the first branch line 70 and the second connection line 60 areconnected to each other.

The cooling line 21 connecting the electric component 15 and thecondenser 42 and the first connection line 50 are opened and areconnected to each other through operations of the second and thirdvalves V2 and V3.

In addition, the connection between the cooling line 11 and the batterycooling line 21 is closed through the operations of the first, secondand third valves V1, V2 and V3 in a state in which an operation of thefirst water pump 14 is stopped.

Therefore, the coolant is circulated along the cooling line 11 passingthrough the condenser 42 and the first connection line 50 connected tothe cooling line 11 by the second and third valves V2 and V3 through anoperation of the third water pump 52.

Here, a temperature of the coolant passing through the condenser 42 israised while the coolant exchanges heat with the refrigerant exhaustedfrom the compressor 48, compressed in a high-temperature andhigh-pressure state in the compressor 48, and supplied to the condenser42. Then, the coolant of which the temperature is raised is supplied tothe internal heater 31.

Meanwhile, the coolant of the battery cooling line 21 is circulatedalong the battery cooling line 21, the first branch line 70, and thesecond connection line 60 by an operation of the second water pump 23.

Here, the evaporator 46 exchanges heat between the coolant circulatedalong the battery cooling line 21 and a low-temperature refrigerantevaporated therein, and supplies a low-temperature coolant to the cooler33.

In the instant case, the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 46cools the coolant introduced through the battery cooling line 21. Inaddition, the coolant cooled while passing through the evaporator 46 issupplied to the cooler 33 through the second connection line 60.

Therefore, the external air introduced into the HVAC module 30 isdehumidified while passing through the cooler 33 into which thelow-temperature coolant is introduced. Then, the external air is changedinto a high-temperature state while passing through the internal heater31 to which the high-temperature coolant is supplied and is thenintroduced into the internal of the vehicle, heating and dehumidifyingthe internal of the vehicle.

In addition, an operation at the time of raising a temperature of thebattery module B will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a view depicting an operation state at the time of raising atemperature of the battery module in the heat pump system for a vehicleaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the case of raising the temperature of thebattery module B, an operation of the CE module 40 is stopped, such thatthe circulation of the refrigerant is stopped.

The first branch line 70 is connected to the battery cooling line 21through an operation of the first valve V1. In addition, the connectionbetween the battery cooling line 21 and the cooling line 11 is closedthrough the operation of the first valve V1.

Therefore, the battery cooling line 21 and the first branch line 70 formone closed circuit. In the instant case, the coolant passes through thebattery module B while being circulated along the battery cooling line21 and the first branch line 70 through an operation of the second waterpump 23.

At this time, the heater 25 is turned on to heat the coolant circulatedalong the battery cooling line 21 and then introduces the heated coolantinto the battery module B, making it possible to rapidly raise atemperature of the battery module B.

Therefore, when the heat pump system 1 for a vehicle according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention configured as describedabove is applied, the thermal energy generated from the refrigerant atthe time of condensing and evaporating the refrigerant is exchanged withthe heat of the coolant, and an internal temperature of the vehicle iscontrolled using the low-temperature or high-temperature coolant ofwhich the heat is exchanged, making it possible to simplify the heatpump system for a vehicle and simplify a layout of connection pipesthrough which the refrigerant is circulated.

In addition, the heat pump system 1 for a vehicle may improve heatingefficiency of the vehicle using the waste heat of the electric component15 and the battery module B, and may increase an entire travel distanceof the vehicle by efficiently controlling the temperature of the batterymodule B so that the battery module B exhibits optimal performance.

In addition, the CE module 40 generating the thermal energy through thecondensation and evaporation of the refrigerant is packaged, and thehigh-performance R152-a or R744 refrigerant is used, such that a sizeand a weight may be reduced, and generation of noise, vibrations, andoperation instability may be prevented as compared with an airconditioner device according to the related art.

In addition, the CE module 40 further includes the sub heat exchanger44, which secondarily condenses the primarily condensed refrigerantthrough heat-exchange with the low-temperature refrigerant to increase acondensing amount of the refrigerant, improving the cooling performanceand efficiency through increasing a sub-cool of the refrigerant.

Further, the entire heat pump system for a vehicle is simplified, makingit possible to reduce a cost required for manufacturing the heat pumpsystem for a vehicle and a weight of the heat pump system for a vehicleand improve space utilization.

For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appendedclaims, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “internal”, “outer”, “up”, “down”,“upper”, “lower”, “upwards”, “downwards”, “front”, “rear”, “back”,“inside”, “outside”, “inwardly”, “outwardly”, “internal”, “external”,“internal”, “outer”, “forwards”, and “backwards” are used to describefeatures of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions ofsuch features as displayed in the figures.

The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described toexplain certain principles of the invention and their practicalapplication, to enable others skilled in the art to make and utilizevarious exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well asvarious alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that thescope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto andtheir equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A heat pump system for a vehicle, comprising: acooling device including a radiator connected to a first cooling lineand a first water pump and circulating a coolant along the first coolingline to cool an electric component; a battery module provided on abattery cooling line selectively connectable to the first cooling linethrough a first valve; a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning(HVAC) module including an internal heater connected to the firstcooling line through a first connection line, a cooler connected to thebattery cooling line through a second connection line, and an opening orclosing door mounted between the internal heater and the cooler andcontrolling external air passing through the cooler to be selectivelyintroduced into the internal heater depending on cooling, heating, andheating and dehumidifying modes of the vehicle; and a centralized energy(CE) module connected to each of the battery cooling line and the firstcooling line, exchanging thermal energy generated at a time ofcondensing and evaporating a refrigerant circulated therein with heat ofa coolant, and supplying a low-temperature or high-temperature coolantof which the heat is exchanged to the HVAC module, wherein the CE moduleis further provided with a sub heat exchanger which further condensesthe refrigerant through heat-exchange with the low-temperaturerefrigerant and the condensed refrigerant so that a condensing amount ofthe refrigerant is configured to be increased through an increasing of asub-cooling of the refrigerant.
 2. The heat pump system for the vehicleof claim 1, wherein the CE module includes: a condenser provided on asecond cooling line connected to the first cooling line through a secondvalve provided on the first cooling line between the radiator and thebattery module and a third valve provided on the first cooling linebetween the electric component and the first valve; the sub heatexchanger connected to the condenser through a refrigerant line, and anexpansion valve connected to the sub heat exchanger through therefrigerant line; an evaporator connected to the expansion valve throughthe refrigerant line and provided on the battery cooling line betweenthe battery module and the first valve; and a compressor provided on therefrigerant line between the evaporator and the condenser.
 3. The heatpump system for the vehicle of claim 2, wherein the first valve isconfigured to connect the first cooling line connected to the electriccomponent and the battery cooling line to each other between theradiator and the evaporator, and the first connection line is configuredto selectively connect the first cooling line and the internal heater toeach other through the second valve and the third valve, respectively.4. The heat pump system for the vehicle of claim 2, wherein a firstbranch line connecting the evaporator and the battery module to eachother through the first valve is provided on the battery cooling line,the second connection line is connected to the battery cooling linethrough a fourth valve between the evaporator and the battery moduleconnected to each other through the first branch line, and a secondbranch line connected to the first cooling line between the radiator andthe first water pump through a fifth valve is provided on the firstcooling line connecting between the electric component and the radiator.5. The heat pump system for the vehicle of claim 4, wherein a reservoirtank connected to the second branch line is mounted between the radiatorand the first water pump.
 6. The heat pump system for the vehicle ofclaim 4, wherein in a case of cooling the electric component in thecooling mode of the vehicle, the first branch line is configured to beopened through an operation of the first valve and the second connectionline is configured to be opened in a state in which the battery coolingline connected to the battery module is closed through an operation ofthe fourth valve, the first connection line is configured to be closedand the second cooling line connecting the electric component and thecondenser to each other is configured to be opened, through operationsof the second valve and the third valve, the connection between thefirst cooling line and the battery cooling line is configured to beclosed through operations of the first, second and third valves, thefirst cooling line connecting the electric component and the radiator toeach other is configured to be opened in a state in which the secondbranch line is closed through an operation of the fifth valve, and therefrigerant is circulated in the CE module.
 7. The heat pump system forthe vehicle of claim 6, wherein the sub heat exchanger is configured tosecondarily condense a medium-temperature refrigerant exhausted from thecondenser through heat-exchange with a low-temperature refrigerantexhausted from the evaporator to increase a condensing amount of therefrigerant through an increasing of a sub-cooling of the refrigerant,and the evaporator is configured to exchange heat between a coolantcirculated along the battery cooling line and a low-temperaturerefrigerant evaporated therein and supplies a low-temperature coolant tothe cooler, in the cooling mode of the vehicle.
 8. The heat pump systemfor the vehicle of claim 6, wherein in a case of cooling the batterymodule together with the electric component in the cooling mode of thevehicle, the battery cooling line connected to the battery module isconfigured to be opened through an operation of the fourth valve.
 9. Theheat pump system for the vehicle of claim 4, wherein in a case ofrecovering waste heat of the battery module and the electric componentin the heating mode of the vehicle, the first branch line is configuredto he closed through an operation of the first valve and the secondconnection line is configured to be closed in a state in which thebattery cooling line connected to the battery module is opened throughan operation of the fourth valve, the second cooling line connecting theelectric component and the condenser to each other and the firstconnection line are configured to be opened through operations of thesecond valve and the third valve, the first cooling line is connected tothe battery cooling line through operations of the first, second andthird valves, the first cooling line connecting the electric componentand the radiator to each other is configured to be closed in a state inwhich the second branch line is opened through an operation of the fifthvalve, and the refrigerant is circulated in the CE module.
 10. The heatpump system for the vehicle of claim 9, wherein the waste heat generatedin the electric component and the battery module raises a temperature ofa coolant circulated along the first cooling line and the batterycooling line, and the coolant of which the temperature is raised raisesa temperature of a refrigerant exhausted from the evaporator.
 11. Theheat pump system for the vehicle of claim 9, wherein in a case ofrecovering the waste heat from only the battery module in the heatingmode of the vehicle, the first branch line is configured to be openedthrough an operation of the first valve, and the connection between thefirst cooling line and the battery cooling line is configured to beclosed through operations of the first, second and third valves.
 12. Theheat pump system for the vehicle of claim 4, wherein in the heating anddehumidifying mode of the vehicle, the first branch line is configuredto be opened through an operation of the first valve and the secondconnection line is configured to be opened in a state in which thebattery cooling line connected to the battery module is closed throughan operation of the fourth valve, the second cooling line connecting theelectric component and the condenser to each other and the firstconnection line are configured to be opened through operations of thesecond valve and the third valve, the connection between the firstcooling line and the battery cooling line is configured to be closedthrough operations of the first, second and third valves in a state inwhich an operation of the first water pump is stopped, and therefrigerant is circulated in the CE module.
 13. The heat pump system forthe vehicle of claim 2, wherein the condenser and the evaporator areformed of a water-cooling heat exchanger into which a coolant isintroduced through the first cooling line and the battery cooling line.14. The heat pump system for the vehicle of claim 2, wherein thecondenser includes a receiver drier, and a refrigerant heater isprovided on the refrigerant line between the compressor and theevaporator.
 15. The heat pump system for the vehicle of claim 2, whereinaccumulator and a refrigerant heater are respectively provided on therefrigerant line between the compressor and the evaporator.
 16. The heatpump system for the vehicle of claim 4, wherein a heater is provided onthe battery cooling line between the battery module and the evaporator,and the heater is configured to be selectively turned on to heat acoolant circulated along the battery cooling line and is configured tointroduce the heated coolant into the battery module.
 17. The heat pumpsystem for the vehicle of claim 16, wherein in a case of raising atemperature of the battery module, the circulation of the refrigerant inthe CE module is configured to be stopped, and the first branch line isconnected to the battery cooling line and the connection between thebattery cooling line and the first cooling line is closed, through anoperation of the first valve.
 18. The heat pump system for the vehicleof claim 1, wherein a second water pump is provided on the batterycooling line, and a third water pump is provided on the first connectionline.
 19. The heat pump system for the vehicle of claim 1, wherein therefrigerant circulated in the CE module is an R152-a or R744refrigerant.
 20. The heat pump system for the vehicle of claim 1,wherein the electric component includes a motor, an electric powercontrol unit (EPCU), and an on-board charger (OBC), and the motor andthe electric power control unit generate heat while being driven, andthe on-board charger generates heat in a case of charging the batterymodule.